Better Than New

It would be wonderful if every Christian could maintain the newness and wholesomeness of his or her salvation experience. But the unfortunate reality is Christians do sin. There may be a number of Josephs and Daniels within the ranks of Christendom who succeed in retaining a sterling character from start to finish. Human experience, however, reveals that the greater part of God’s family consists of people like David, Samson, Jonah, Jacob, and Simon Peter; people who, for one reason or another, lose the enthusiasm, spiritual strength, and sensitivity that once characterized their lives. Spiritual battles, temptations, disappointments, and failures take their toll. Harmful indiscretions cause painful bruising to the soul. Prodigal sons and daughters abound. But in spite of self-inflicted wounds there is good news; there is great news. God’s love and compassion abound even more. His desire is not to discard damaged lives. God’s intention is to restore wayward sons and daughters to their proper place in His family. The Father’s plan is to make them “better than new.” This book explores the process by which the “better than new” condition can be realized.

You've made a commitment to see your marriage healed, so now what? Whether your relationship is recovering from an affair, pornography addiction, or just years of coasting, Cindy Beall shares from her redeemed-marriage journey to help you.

Are you struggling with sadness, pain, or disappointment? Could you use a new beginning or a redo? If so, take heart. The oh-so-welcome news of the Scripture is this: Our God is a God of fresh starts. In Begin Again, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado combines his heartwarming stories and timeless biblical teachings with new insights and perspectives. Packed with encouragement, Begin Again will reassure you that Jesus is the author of new beginnings, no matter what sorrows or struggles you’ve faced. Each copy of Begin Again also includes a series of thoughtful, comprehensive reflection questions designed to go along with every chapter, giving you a chance to dive even deeper into the ways God promises to make all things new. Max will prepare you for the journey ahead by helping you: Trust that God fights for you, even on your darkest days Rely on God's unconditional love and protection Ground yourself in his everlasting promises Hold on to enduring hope found in faith Make a difference in your community by influencing the lives of others Set your sights on your eternal home in heaven This timely compilation—which also includes original content from Max—will provide you with the hope and encouragement you need to take the first step into your new beginning, whatever it may hold. No matter what heartache or hardship you’ve endured, you can take comfort in knowing that it’s never too late to Begin Again.

People can become stuck in many ways and for a wide variety of reasons, explains the author of Fatal Pauses, that rare book that both clinicians and general readers can benefit from and enjoy. Novelistic in its depictions of composite patients but clear-eyed in its analysis, the book offers a "3-D method" of addressing "stuck"-ness, which is defined as "not stopping something that is bad for us" or "not starting and staying with something that is good for us." The process of discovering why one is stuck, deciding to become unstuck, and then asserting the discipline required to do so is brought to vivid life by one of the most respected psychiatrists of our day. The book's structure is logical and engaging: The Am I Stuck? Scale can be self-administered by general readers or administered by clinicians to their patients. This first chapter sets the stage for what follows. The 3-D method of getting unstuck is presented in a systematic, easy-to-comprehend manner that begins with a brief overview and proceeds to more detailed instructions and insights. Riveting case examples make up the heart of the book. They are not mere summaries but consist of thorough and detailed clinical descriptions that provide context, in addition to extensive dialogue and analysis. Several of these cases are divided into multiple chapters, providing a comprehensive clinical picture to help both mental health professionals and lay readers increase their understanding of being "stuck." A range of categories or "stuck"-ness is addressed, including being trapped by career choices, limited by obesity, paralyzed by an unsatisfying marriage, incapacitated by addiction, and imprisoned by the need to please. Of special note is the case example of a young man whose interpersonal relationships have gradually, but progressively, become reduced to computer-based encounters. The author's examination of this individual's fixation on video games and virtual realities and his escape from this cyberprison through treatment is both timely and compelling. Finally, the author provides an evolutionary and neurobiological overview of how we become "stuck," which helps the reader grasp the underpinnings of this behavior and learn how to become "unstuck." Written in a warm and disarming style, Fatal Pauses will find a home in clinicians' libraries,waiting rooms, and on family room bookshelves.

More than any other sport, baseball has developed its own niche in America’s culture and psyche. Some researchers spend years on detailed statistical analyses of minute parts of the game, while others wax poetic about its players and plays. Many trace the beginnings of the civil rights movement in part to the Major Leagues’ decision to integrate, and the words and phrases of the game (for example, pinch-hitter and out in left field) have become common in our everyday language. From AARON, HENRY onward, this book covers all of what might be called the cultural aspects of baseball (as opposed to the number-rich statistical information so widely available elsewhere). Biographical sketches of all Hall of Fame players, owners, executives and umpires, as well as many of the sportswriters and broadcasters who have won the Spink and Frick awards, join entries for teams, owners, commissioners and league presidents. Advertising, agents, drafts, illegal substances, minor leagues, oldest players, perfect games, retired uniform numbers, superstitions, tripleheaders, and youngest players are among the thousands of entries herein. Most entries open with a topical quote and conclude with a brief bibliography of sources for further research. The whole work is exhaustively indexed and includes 119 photographs.

Vol.1- includes section "Biblia, devoted to the interests of the Friends of the Princeton Library," v.11-